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PERSONAL

 Series
Identifier: 1

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Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Azalia Mitchell papers date from 1911 to 1988 and measure 5 linear inches. The papers are arranged in three series: Personal, Business, and Conservatorship.

The Personal series consists of documents pertaining to Azalia Mitchell's marriage with J.W. Mitchell. Included are financial papers such as loans, bank books and insurance papers. Their 1948 Iowa income tax return is interesting for the itemized schedules attached to it pertaining to their business ventures. Of particular note in their real estate records is the 1950 Quit Claim Deed in which J.W. Mitchell legally gave his wife Azalia Mitchell title to a piece of property "in consideration of the sum of natural love and affection and one and other." The personal papers folder contains the Mitchell's marriage certificate and a Christmas card signed"Jimmie and Azalia." Their marriage certificate is noteworthy for the two dates written on it, 1917 and 1918. The Last Will and Testaments include Mitchell's aunt Adaline Miller's will, as well as Azalia and J.W. Mitchells' wills. Famed attorney and activist Charles P. Howard was a witness for both of the Mitchell's documents. Also included in the Personal series are the death certificates and funeral books for Azalia Mitchell and her husband J.W. Mitchell. There are also sympathy cards and receipts for the sale of Azalia Mitchell's possessions following her death.

The Business series consists of documents relating to Community Pharmacy in Des Moines,and the building the Mitchells rented out after selling the business. Included are contracts and leases, tax and license receipts, financial papers and building repair orders. The contracts and leases include a concession agreement with the Royal Dukes to use a backroom for their meetings. There are also receipts and notes pertaining to a Billy Eckstein concert the Mitchells sponsored. Billy Eckstein was a notable jazzman who toured the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. Apparently the same back room the Royal Dukes rented was sometimes used as a concert and dance hall. Other leases andcontracts concern a Wurlitzer jukebox and a shuffleboard. The financial papers consist of handwritten records of loans written on the backs of envelopes. Included is the list of payments from 1926 to 1940 made to the Des Moines Drug Company for the purchase of Community Pharmacy.

The Conservatorship series consists of bills, correspondence and documents pertaining to the Conservatorship of Azalia Mitchell. Gwendolyn Wilson Fowler, a close personal friend of the Mitchells,served as Azalia Mitchell's conservator during the last several years of Mitchell's life. This series also includes a photograph taken of Azalia Mitchell at the nursing home.

Dates

  • Creation: 1911-1988

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 5.00 linear inches

From the Collection: Photographs in Box 1. boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)